Rule 5.1005 Copies of public records to prove content

If you need to prove what an official public record says, like a deed, court file, or government document, you don't have to bring the original into court. You can use a copy instead, as long as two things are true. First, the record itself has to be the kind of document that's normally allowed as evidence. Second, the copy needs to be either officially certified as accurate or backed up by a witness who compared it to the original and can confirm it matches.

If you can't get a proper certified or verified copy even after making a real effort to find one, the rule still lets you prove what the record said using other evidence. This might include things like testimony from someone who saw the original, other documents that reference it, or different proof showing what the record contained.

The basic idea is to make public records easier to use in court. People shouldn't have to track down an original deed or file just to prove it exists and what it says. As long as you can show a copy is trustworthy, or otherwise show through other proof what the missing record contained, the court can accept it.